The Writers Block

A weekly post-con-style roundtable romp with some of the most outspoken (yet still employed) creators in comics. Show biz war stories. State of the comic union. Furious debates over ‘80s televisions shows. Great lobster bisque recipes. Something for everybody.

We have voluntarily self-rated this production as PG-13. Some material may not be suitable for children.

Listen to the preview trailer!

Also available on YouTube if you'd prefer to see everyone's lovely faces!

About The Show

YOUR HOSTS:

DAVID AVALLONE
David has kicked around Hollywood for over thirty years and still has some of his sanity left. In 2014, after a long career spent mostly in indie films, he started writing comics. He's mostly known for writing pulp heroes like VAMPIRELLA, THE SHADOW, DOC SAVAGE, ZORRO and creating kick-ass comic adventures for real world icons BETTIE PAGE and ELVIRA, MISTRESS OF THE DARK. He's particularly proud of his original comics, DRAWING BLOOD and RADICALLY REARRANGED RONIN RAGDOLLS, co-created with some nobody named Kevin (coughTMNTcough) Eastman. He is the second best-dresssed man in comics, which might be a pretty low bar.
Twitter: @DAvallone
Instagram: @DavidAvalloneFreelance
Website: davidavallonefreelance.com
Amazon: https://amzn.to/2EEiRzf
Comixology: https://www.comixology.com/David-Avallone/comics-creator/42762

RYLEND GRANT
Rylend has been a working screenwriter in Hollywood for 15 years, developing film and television projects with folks like JJ Abrams, Ridley Scott, Luc Besson, John Woo, Justin Lin, and F. Gary Gray. He is the Ringo Award-winning creator of comic books like ABERRANT, BANJAX, THE JUMP, and THE PEACEKEEPERS. He is an ordained Soto Zen Buddhist monk in the lineage of Brad Warner and Gudo Nishijima. He once taught Mike Tyson how to meditate.
Twitter: @rylendgrant
Instagram: @rylendgrant
Linktree: linktr.ee/rylendgrant
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3hNfXWY
Comixology: https://www.comixology.com/Rylend-Grant/comics-creator/176093

Art

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Episode Archive

David Booher

Episode Number: 59

Avallone and Rylend talk with writer David Booher (CANTO, KILLER QUEENS) about the gut wrenching leap of faith that is quitting your day job and committing to full time creative work. They also touch on pitching, meeting editors, and Rylend’s predilection with punching readers in the face.

Episode download: TWB059.mp3

DAVID M. BOOHER
Twitter: @davidbooher
Instagram: @davidmbooher
Website: https://davidbooher.com

Release Date: March 2, 2022

Run Time: 1:31:49
Jason Inman

Episode Number: 58

David and Rylend talk with writer/podcaster Jason Inman about small screen Walking Dead, big screen Batman, and the unequivocal wonder that is AC/DC. Oh, yeah… and we also touch on Jason’s comic book - SUPER BEST FRIEND - available now via Kickstarter.

CHECK OUT MY SUPER BEST FRIEND ON KICKSTARTER NOW: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/jawiin/super-best-friend-1-2-a-superhero-adventure-comic

Episode download: TWB058.mp3

JASON INMAN
Twitter: @jawiin
Instagram: @jawiin
Website: https://solo.to/jasoninman
Geek History Lesson: https://www.geekhistorylesson.com

Release Date: February 23, 2022

Run Time: 53:14
PROJECT MK-ULTRA

Episode Number: 57

David and Rylend talk with cartoonist Stewart Kenneth Moore and writers Brandon Beckner and Scott Sampila about their Clover Press comic book PROJECT MK-ULTRA: SEX, DRUGS and THE CIA… and Avallone finally opens up about the decade he spent as an agency stooge, trading blue jeans and New Coke for state secrets in Moscow Metro stations.

CHECK OUT MK ULTRA VIA THE CLOVER PRESS WEBSITE NOW: https://cloverpress.us/collections/newly-added/products/project-mk-ultra-sex-drugs-the-cia-vol-1

Episode download: TWB057.mp3

STEWART KENNETH MOORE
Twitter: @opipop
Instagram: @booda_von_boodstein
Website: www.stewartkmoore.com

BRANDON BECKNER
Twitter: @parrotpoet1
Instagram: @parrotpoet1
Website: https://www.brandonbeckner.com

SCOTT SAMPILA
Instagram: @sampila
Website: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1399100/

Release Date: February 16, 2022

Run Time: 1:24:26
Charlie Stickney and Gene Ching

Episode Number: 56

David and Rylend talk with writer Charlie Stickney (WHITE ASH) and action choreographer/KungFuMagazine.com publisher Gene Ching about their collaboration on the Immortal Studios Wuxia comic book epic THE ADEPT… and Avallone briefly considers returning to his ancestral home (Naples, Italy) to take up sculpting.

CHECK OUT THE ADEPT #2 ON KICKSTARTER NOW: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/theadept2/the-adept-2

Episode download: TWB056.mp3

GENE CHING
Twitter: @geneching
Website: geneching.wordpress.com

CHARLIE STICKNEY
Twitter: @CharlesStickney
Instagram: @whiteashcomic
Website: https://whiteashcomic.com

Release Date: February 9, 2022

Run Time: 1:09:42
Amanda Deibert, Barbra Dillon, and Richard Fairgray

Episode Number: 55

Back from holiday hiatus with a vengeance, David and Rylend talk with writer Amanda Deibert (Wonder Woman, He-Man), cartoonist Richard Fairgray (BLACK SAND BEACH), and Fanbase Press Honcho Barbra Dillon about the post COVID comic book landscape… and Richard gleefully tells us about the time he maced and threw dog poop on an overly aggressive meathead who refused to wear a mask during a global pandemic.

Episode download: TWB055.mp3

AMANDA DEIBERT
Twitter: @amandadeibert
Instagram: @amandadeibertofficial
Website: amandadeibert.com

RICHARD FAIRGRAY
Twitter: @RichardFairgray
Instagram: @richardfairgrayauthor
Website: richardfairgray.com

BARBRA DILLON
Twitter: @barbrajdillon
Instagram: @barbrajdillon

FANBASE PRESS
Twitter: @fanbase_press
Instagram: @fanbasepress
Website: fanbasepress.com

Release Date: February 2, 2022

Run Time: 1:13:35
Just Us

Episode Number: 54

With a holiday hiatus looming, David and Rylend interview each other, chewing mightily on the influence properties like various Star Treks, Magnum P.I., James Bond, and Jack Reacher have had on their personal lives/creative careers… we’ll leave you to decide which franchise profoundly affected which host.

Episode download: TWB054.mp3

Release Date: November 17, 2021

Run Time: 1:32:36
Shaenon K. Garrity and Andrew Farago

Episode Number: 53

This week, David and Rylend chat with Shaenon K. Garrity and Andrew Farago from the Cartoon Art Museum in San Fransisco about the Gallery’s current happenings and its mission is to ignite imaginations and foster the next generation of visual storytellers… and Rylend shows off pieces from his extensive Beavis and Butthead original animation cel collection while soulfully crooning David Van Driessen’s “Men have feelings, too.”

Episode download: TWB053.mp3

ANDREW FARAGO
Twitter: @andrewfarago
Instagram: @andrewfarago
Website: andrewfarago.com

SHAENON K. GARRITY
Twitter: @shaenongarrity
Instagram: @shaenongarrity
Website: shaenon.com

CARTOON ART MUSEUM: https://www.cartoonart.org/about

Release Date: November 10, 2021

Run Time: 1:31:32
Madeleine Holly-Rosing and Tilly and Susan Bridges

Episode Number: 52

This week, David and Rylend get an audio drama how-to courtesy of Tilly and Susan Bridges (Pendant Productions) and Madeleine Holly-Rosing (Boston Metaphysical Society), the group discusses the advantages of diversifying one’s creative bonds, and Rylend - who was ripped awake at 5am by a Halloween-obsessed 5-year-old - briefly falls asleep on camera.

Episode download: TWB052.mp3

MADELEINE HOLLY-ROSING
Twitter: @MHollyRosing
Instagram: @mcholly1

CHECK OUT THE BOSTON METAPHYSICAL SOCIETY: THE GHOST SHIP AUDIO DRAMA KICKSTARTER: kck.st/3m0MIVo

SUSAN BRIDGES
Twitter: @susanlbridges
Instagram: @susanlbridges
Website: pendantaudio.com
Website: birdguest.com

TILLY BRIDGES
Twitter: @TillyBridges
Website: pendantaudio.com
Website: birdguest.com

Release Date: November 3, 2021

Run Time: 1:17:02
Anthony Pollock and Gary Edwards

Episode Number: 51

This week, David and Rylend chat with Anthony Pollock (EIC at Soda and Telepaths) and Gary Edwards (Editor at Gestalt Comics) about their soon-to-be-kickstarted comic anthology PRODUCING THE END OF THE WORLD… and the group does a deep dive on beard maintenance.

Episode download: TWB051.mp3

CHECK OUT THE “COMIC JABRONI" VARIANT OF THE JUMP 1 & 2: https://thejump2.backerkit.com/hosted_preorders/358061

ALL PROCEEDS GO TO THE FAMILY OF EDWIN OCASIO!

ANTHONY POLLOCK
Twitter: @anthpollock/@SodaTelepaths
Instagram: @anth.pollock
Website: SodaandTelepaths.com

GARY EDWARDS
Twitter: @dingogary
Instagram: @dingogary

Release Date: October 27, 2021

Run Time: 1:30:11
Christie Shinn and Don Nguyen

Episode Number: 50

This week, David and Rylend chat with Christie Shinn (DEMON BITCH) and Don Nguyen (PABLO THE GORILLA) about writing from the artist’s perspective… and the writer/artist’s perspective… also, David tells thinly-veiled Andy Sidaris stories and Rylend talks about the time he was almost forced to do mushrooms and go rock-climbing with Tony Scott.

Episode download: TWB050.mp3

CHECK OUT THE “COMIC JABRONI" VARIANT OF THE JUMP 1 & 2: https://thejump2.backerkit.com/hosted_preorders/358061

ALL PROCEEDS GO TO THE FAMILY OF EDWIN OCASIO!

CHRISTIE SHINN
Twitter: @HoraToraStudios
Instagram: @HoraToraStudios
Website: HoraToraStudios.com

SUPPORT DEMON BITCH AND OTHER STUPID THINGS: Patreon.com/HoraToraStudios
WHERE TO FOLLOW DEMON BITCH: webtoons.com/en/challenge/demon-btch/list?title_no=148964

DON NGUYEN
Twitter: @nguyeningit
Instagram: @nguyeningit
Website: NguyeningIt.com

Release Date: October 20, 2021

Run Time: 1:36:44
Marielle Bouleau and Simon Birks

Episode Number: 49

This week, David and Rylend talk with Marielle Bouleau and Simon Birks from Blue Fox Comics (THE MOUNTAINS OF MADNESS and THE SHADOWS OVER INNSMOUTH) about building a publishing powerhouse on Kickstarter and all the fun and crazy that goes into running a new campaign most every month... and David and Rylend celebrate the show cracking the top 60 on the Apple visual arts podcast charts by performing a soul-scorching choreographed dance (via zoom, of course) to Benny Mardones’ INTO THE NIGHT.

Episode download: TWB049.mp3

CHECK OUT THE “COMIC JABRONI" VARIANT OF THE JUMP 1 & 2: https://thejump2.backerkit.com/hosted_preorders/358061

ALL PROCEEDS GO TO THE FAMILY OF EDWIN OCASIO!

BLUE FOX COMICS
Twitter: @BlueFoxComics
Instagram: @BlueFoxComics
Website: bluefoxcomics.com

MARIELLE BOULEAU
Twitter: @mariellewrites
Instagram: @marielle.writes
Website: bit.ly/2RCoKTz

SIMON BIRKS
Twitter: @SBirksWriter
Instagram: @SBirksWriter

Release Date: October 13, 2021

Run Time: 1:11:36
Henry Barajas

Episode Number: 48

This week, David and Rylend talk with Henry Barajas (LA VOZ DE M.A.Y.O.: TATA RAMBO) about his journey from donut shop manager to comic shop headliner… and the guys, perhaps too enthusiastically, trade “Kinsey Scale” ratings.

Episode download: TWB048.mp3

CHECK OUT THE “COMIC JABRONI" VARIANT OF THE JUMP 1 & 2: https://thejump2.backerkit.com/hosted_preorders/358061

ALL PROCEEDS GO TO THE FAMILY OF EDWIN OCASIO!

HENRY BARAJAS
Twitter: @HenryBarajas
Website: linktr.ee/henrybarajas

Release Date: October 6, 2021

Run Time: 54:50
Kristin Gollhofer and Jason Bennett

Episode Number: 47

David and Rylend talk with Kristin Gollhofer (Cohost of Meanwhile at the Podcast) and Jason Bennett (Editor in Chief of PopCultHQ) about the creator/journalist relationship and everyone’s very essential place in the “comic book ecosystem…” also, Rylend spends half the show shuffling through an old box where he finds some rare ALF pogs, an old copy of X-MEN signed by Stan Lee, and a grocery list written by WEEKEND AT BERNIE’S phenom Andrew McCarthy in 1991.

Episode download: TWB047.mp3

CHECK OUT JASON’S REVIEW OF SUICIDE JOCKEYS #2 AT POPCULTHQ.COM: https://bit.ly/SuicideJockeys2Review

CHECK OUT THE “COMIC JABRONI" VARIANT OF THE JUMP 1 & 2: https://thejump2.backerkit.com/hosted_preorders/358061

ALL PROCEEDS GO TO THE FAMILY OF EDWIN OCASIO!

KRISTIN GOLLHOFER
Twitter: @klu4973/@MeanwhileATP
Instagram: @klu4973/@MeanwhileATP

JASON BENNETT
Twitter: @TahoeJBennett/@PopCultHq
Instagram: @TahoeJBennett/@PopCultHq
Website: PopCultHQ.com

Release Date: September 29, 2021

Run Time: 1:35:11
Comic Law with Thomas Crowell

Episode Number: 46

David and Rylend talk with attorney Thomas Crowell - author of The Pocket Lawyer for Filmmakers and The Pocket Lawyer for Comic Book Creators - about creators rights, IP law, and what a contract should look like… and Rylend tries very hard to pretend that he’s not presenting all of this because a certain publisher screwed over a bunch of creators who are now lashing out on a certain social media platform.

MR. CROWELL’S COMMENTS ARE FOR EDUCATIONAL AND INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY. ONLY YOUR ATTORNEY CAN ADVISE YOU WHICH LAWS ARE APPLICABLE TO YOUR SPECIFIC CASE AND SITUATION. THIS IS NOT LEGAL ADVICE OR A LEGAL OPINION.

Episode download: TWB046.mp3

CHECK OUT THE “COMIC JABRONI" VARIANT OF THE JUMP 1 & 2: https://thejump2.backerkit.com/hosted_preorders/358061

ALL PROCEEDS GO TO THE FAMILY OF EDWIN OCASIO!

THOMAS CROWELL
Twitter: @Law_Crow
Law Firm Website: www.lanecrowell.com
Personal Website: www.thomascrowell.com

Release Date: September 22, 2021

Run Time: 1:37:53
Jaclyn and Anthony Marques

Episode Number: 45

This week, the guys talk with owners/administrators Jaclyn and Anthony Marques about everything going on at the famed Joe Kubert School of Cartoon and Graphic Art… and both Rylend and David seriously consider going back to school.

Episode download: TWB045.mp3

CHECK OUT THE “COMIC JABRONI" VARIANT OF THE JUMP 1 & 2: https://thejump2.backerkit.com/hosted_preorders/358061

ALL PROCEEDS GO TO THE FAMILY OF EDWIN OCASIO!

JACLYN & ANTHONY MARQUES
Twitter: @TheKubertSchool
Instagram: @thekubertschool
Website: https://www.kubertschool.edu

Release Date: September 15, 2021

Run Time: 1:16:48
David Pepose

Episode Number: 44

This week, Rylend and David talk with SPENCER AND LOCKE creator David Pepose about the Kickstarter campaign for Issue 2 of his twisted Land of Oz opus, THE O.Z., the group takes a long look at what can and should make a story truly meaningful (for author and reader), and they briefly discuss starting a semi-religious cult based on the guiding principals of the Boy Scouts of America.

Episode download: TWB044.mp3

DAVID PEPOSE
Twitter: @Peposed
Instagram: Peposed
Website: linktr.ee/peposed

Release Date: September 8, 2021

Run Time: 1:33:56
Skylar Patridge and Ben Bishop

Episode Number: 43

This week, a “surviving the pandemic” talk with artists Skylar Patridge (Resonant) and Ben Bishop (TMNT: The Last Ronin) turns into a really meaty mental health deep dive… and Rylend preaches fanatically about the soul restorative aspects of Karaoke.

Episode download: TWB043.mp3

SKYLAR PATRIDGE
Twitter: @SkyePatridge
Instagram: @SkyePatridge
Website: Ko-fi.com/skylarpatridge

BEN BISHOP
Twitter: @bishart
Instagram: @bishart
Website: bishart.net

Release Date: September 1, 2021

Run Time: 1:33:13
King Spawn Origins with Sean Lewis

Episode Number: 42

This week, Rylend and David talk career development and the origins of KING SPAWN with writer Sean Lewis (THUMBS, SUPERMAN FUTURE STATE)… and at some point, the three start slipping on all of the comic/film heavyweight names being dropped.

Episode download: TWB042.mp3

SEAN LEWIS
Twitter: @SeanChrisLewis
Instagram: @seanlewis6026
Website: https://www.littlearkfilms.com

Release Date: August 25, 2021

Run Time: 1:07:23
Jo Duffy and Phillip Kennedy Johnson

Episode Number: 41

This week, Rylend and David talk with Hall of Famers Jo Duffy (STAR WARS, CATWOMAN) and Phillip Kennedy Johnson (ACTION COMICS, ALIEN) about writing for the big two… and Jo battles an old karate injury - NO LIE - sustained while training to prepare to write POWER MAN AND IRON FIST.

Episode download: TWB041.mp3

JO DUFFY
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jo.duffy.7

PHILLIP KENNEDY JOHNSON
Twitter: @phillip_kennedy_johnson
Instagram: @PhillipKJohnson
Website: phillipkennedyjohnson.com

Release Date: August 18, 2021

Run Time: 1:20:24
Liana Kangas and Leisha Riddel

Episode Number: 40

AND THEN THEY FIGHT - This week, Rylend and David talk with two very accomplished artists - Liana Kangas (STAR WARS ADVENTURES) and Leisha Riddell (SMOOTH CRIMINALS) - about what the writer/artist relationship could, should, and, in many cases, must look like… and they learn the HARD way never to ask Liana to draw a horse.

Episode download: TWB040.mp3

LIANA KANGAS
Twitter: @lianakangas
Instagram: @lianakangas
Website: linktr.ee/lianakangas

LEISHA RIDDEL
Twitter: @LeishaRiddel
Instagram: @LeishaRiddel
Website: leisha.art

Release Date: August 4, 2021

Run Time: 1:29:59
Why You Should Be Working In Comics

Episode Number: 39

This week, Rylend and David moderate a virtual panel discussion for Los Film School students featuring creatives whom have worked extensively in film/television AND found success in comics… Melody Cooper (Omni, Law and Order: SVU), Amanda Deibert (Wonder Woman, He-Man), and David M. Booher (Canto, Killer Queens).

Episode download: TWB039.mp3

MELODY COOPER
Twitter: @melodyMcooper
Instagram: @melodycooperfilm
Website: melodyMcooper.com

AMANDA DEIBERT
Twitter: @amandadeibert
Instagram: @amandadeibertofficial
Website: amandadeibert.com

DAVID M. BOOHER
Twitter: @davidbooher
Instagram: @davidmbooher
Website: davidbooher.com

Release Date: July 28, 2021

Run Time: 1:33:43
Holly Interlandi and D.J. Kirkbride

Episode Number: 38

CCCOOOOOONNNSSS! Part 2 - This week, Rylend and David talk returning to cons with Eisner and Harvey-winning editor/comic creator (ERRAND BOYS) D.J. Kirkbride and writer/editor Holly Interlandi (LAST SONG)… and we learn that both Rylend AND David have broken Erik Estrada’s heart in two unrelated incidents.

Episode download: TWB038.mp3

HOLLY INTERLANDI
Twitter: @junkstory
Instagram: @metal_eye
Website: hollyinterlandi.com

D.J. KIRKBRIDE
Twitter: @DJKirkbride
Instagram: @DJKirkbride
Website: djkirkbride.com

Release Date: July 21, 2021

Run Time: 1:17:20
David Baron and Karla Nappi

Episode Number: 37

Cons are Coming! - This week, Rylend and David talk the ins, outs, ups, and downs of returning to cons with hall of fame colorist (BATMAN, JUSTICE LEAGUE)/STAINED creator David Baron and TV writer/DUPLICANT creator Karla Nappi… and Rylend and Avallone must seriously consider couples counseling after the latter thoughtlessly disparages both Cheesy Poofs and THE DEPARTED.

Episode download: TWB037.mp3

DAVID BARON
Twitter: @MyZombies
Instagram: @MyZombies
Website: davidbaron.co

KARLA NAPPI
Twitter: @musingsbycrazed
Instagram: @musingsbycrazed
Website: karlanappi.com

Release Date: July 14, 2021

Run Time: 1:23:43
Susan Hurwtiz-Arneson and Jose Molina

Episode Number: 36

This week, Rylend and David talk comic/TV adaptations with a couple of seasoned TV Pros, Susan Hurwitz-Arneson (Preacher, The Tick) and Jose Molina (Agent Carter, Firefly). David decants. There are pictures of Carl Weathers on the wall behind Rylend. All is right with the world for 90 minutes.

Episode download: TWB036.mp3

SUSAN HURWITZ-ARNESON
Twitter: @batdorkgirl
Instagram: @susanhurwitzarneson
Website: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2409134/

JOSE MOLINA
Twitter: @JoseMolinaTV
Instagram: @JoseMolinaTV
Website: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0596711/

Release Date: July 7, 2021

Run Time: 1:38:06
Rodney Barnes and Kevin Roditeli

Episode Number: 35

License to Thrill - This week, Rylend and David talk licensed comics with Eisner-nominated KILLADELPHIA scribe/LAKERS Executive Producer, Rodney Barnes, and Behemoth’s head editor of licensed titles, Kevin Roditeli… and when Kevin starts talking Michael Mann’s HEAT, Rylend gleefully dusts off his award-winning Waingro impersonation and takes it for a proper spin. “He was MAKING A MOVE, man… I had to GET IT ON.”

Episode download: TWB035.mp3

RODNEY BARNES
Twitter: @TheRodneyBarnes
Instagram: @TheRodneyBarnes
Website: rodneybarnes.com

KEVIN RODITELLI
Twitter: @KevinRoditeli
Instagram: @kevin_roditeli.comics
Website: happytank.co

Release Date: June 30, 2021

Run Time: 1:04:06

Main menu

The Writers Block

Episode Archive

David Booher

Jason Inman

PROJECT MK-ULTRA

Charlie Stickney and Gene Ching

Amanda Deibert, Barbra Dillon, and Richard Fairgray

Just Us

Shaenon K. Garrity and Andrew Farago

Madeleine Holly-Rosing and Tilly and Susan Bridges

Anthony Pollock and Gary Edwards

Christie Shinn and Don Nguyen

Marielle Bouleau and Simon Birks

Henry Barajas

Kristin Gollhofer and Jason Bennett

Comic Law with Thomas Crowell

Jaclyn and Anthony Marques

David Pepose

Skylar Patridge and Ben Bishop

King Spawn Origins with Sean Lewis

Jo Duffy and Phillip Kennedy Johnson

Liana Kangas and Leisha Riddel

Why You Should Be Working In Comics

Holly Interlandi and D.J. Kirkbride

David Baron and Karla Nappi

Susan Hurwtiz-Arneson and Jose Molina

Rodney Barnes and Kevin Roditeli

Pages